Why Sylvia Jeffreys was handed Today show hosting gig over Sam Armytage

The race for Sarah Abo’s hosting gig on the Today show is said to have gone down to the wire, with Sylvia Jeffreys reportedly pipping veteran TV personality Samantha Armytage to the lucrative role.

Abo announced earlier this week that she would be stepping away from the Nine network altogether, with the new mother on maternity leave since mid-July as she nurses her newborn son.

According to News.com.au , senior executives are said to have been partial to Armytage’s flirtatious on-screen persona, and knack for generating Karl Stefanovic-esque headlines.

However, with Jeffreys, 40, announcing her third pregnancy on August 15 with Pete Stefanovic — brother of axed Today host Karl — the network was reminded of her youthful appeal to audiences and commercial viability.

There was said to be a live audition showdown in Abo’s absence, with each candidate vying for the gig as fill-ins on the Today couch.

Armytage, 50, also served as host of Seven’s Sunrise between 2013 and 2021.

Announcing Jeffreys and new co-host Tom Steinfort would take the reins from 2027, a Nine insider said the timing of Jeffreys’ pregnancy made the call difficult.

“Sylvia’s pregnancy left Nine execs who had been in her corner feeling conflicted. The timing isn’t ideal.”

Asked by Daily Mail for her thoughts on Jeffreys’ appointment, Armytage said taking on the role herself would have been a “backwards” step.

“Going back into breakfast TV would have been going backwards, and I don’t wanna do that at 50,” she said at Nine’s Upfronts on Thursday.

“I’m in forward motion and watch this space. It’s time for some fresh faces, I think Sylvia is a fabulous choice and I have done 15 years of breakfast TV on the highest possible level at such a huge show as Sunrise . . . and I am the first person that has ever done both shows on both networks shows so I kind of love that.